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β¦β¦Parents Defend Cleric Arrested Over Child Abuse Allegations in Rivers Community
Port Harcourt, Rivers State β Parents of children allegedly subjected to flogging and ritual-like βpurificationβ with pigeon blood by a detained pastor in Rivers State have publicly declared that they gave their full consent for the acts, insisting the measures were taken in line with their religious convictions.
The unnamed pastor, who was recently arrested by security operatives in a Rivers community, is accused of physically assaulting several minors and engaging in what authorities describe as harmful traditional practicesβ under the guise of spiritual cleansing.
However, during police questioning and in statements to journalists, some parents of the affected children insisted the cleric had done nothing wrong. They claimed the flogging was a disciplinary act intended to βdrive out evil spiritsβ and that the use of pigeon blood was part of a long-standing purification rite within their faith tradition.
We took our children to him willingly. He is a man of God who was helping us to restore their obedience and cleanse them spiritually. We know what was done, and we approved it,β one mother stated defiantly.
Police authorities, however, have condemned the act, describing it as a violation of child rights laws and a breach of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. The Rivers State Police Command confirmed that the pastor remains in custody and will be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
Human rights groups in the state have also weighed in, warning against cultural or religious justifications for acts that endanger minors.
Consent from a parent does not legalise abuse. These are clear violations of the Child Rights Act, and those involved must be held accountable,β a spokesperson for a local child advocacy organisation said.
The case has sparked heated debates across social media and within the Rivers community, with some residents defending the pastorβs methods while others call for stricter enforcement of laws protecting children from harmful practices disguised as religious rites.
As investigations continue, the incident has once again raised questions about the conflict between traditional beliefs, religious practices, and the protection of vulnerable children in Nigeriaβs diverse cultural landscape.
Creek Voice @highlight Tare Pondi Mulade Sheriff Kemezi Obudu Paul Ogomugo Marbo Ndoni Timipre
